Why you should root for Teemu Selanne and Martin Brodeur today

Before we get to playoff scenarios, let’s take a moment to recognize two players who could playing the final regular-season games of their careers.

Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

He has announced that he will retire once the playoffs end and he will be playing in his 1,451st regular-season game today.

The numbers are impressive: 684 goals, 773 assists and 1,457 points, 255 power-play goals and 110 game-winners. And though his numbers are off his usual standard this season, don’t forget that he was a force in the Olympics in helping Finland win bronze, his fourth medal. And he scored 80 points in 2010-11 when he was 40.

Selanne, who blazed onto the NHL scene with a rookie-record 76 goals in 1992-93, has battled back from a torn Achilles tendon and multiple knee issues. But he always had a smile on his face.

He’s a classy guy and a reason to secretly root for the Ducks to win him a second Stanley Cup.

(James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports)

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

We do know that he is starting against the Boston Bruins, but we don’t know if this is his final game or his final game with the Devils.

The Devils brought in his eventual replacement last summer in Cory Schneider and are ready to hand the reins to him full-time. Brodeur’s contract is up and he’s turning 42 next month.

But if this is it for Brodeur, again, let’s admire the impressive numbers: three Stanley Cups and NHL records with 1,258 appearances, 687 wins and 124 shutouts, plus a record 24 playoff shutouts.

Maybe the bid for 700 wins will bring him back for another season. Maybe not. But the 687 wins will be hard to pass. Roberto Luongo is the closest active goalie at 373 and he’s 35 years old.

Like Selanne, Brodeur is a good guy and a reason to root for the Devils to beat the Bruins and get him win No. 688.

Who can clinch

– The Lightning would get the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in a first-round series against Montreal if they beat the Washington Capitals. Otherwise, the Canadiens would open at home.

– The Avalanche would clinch the Central Division title if they defeat the Ducks or if they get one point and the St. Louis Blues lose to the Detroit Red Wings. They also would win the title if the Blues lose. The Blues would win the title if they defeat the Red Wings and the Avalanche lose or if they get one point and the Avalanche lose in regulation. The division winner will face the Minnesota Wild and the other team will face the Chicago Blackhawks.

Before we get to playoff scenarios, let’s take a moment to recognize two players who could playing the final regular-season (…)

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